Law Society of Kenya commends President Uhuru for ordering public officials in graft claims to step aside

Nairobi, Kenya: The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) has commended President Uhuru Kenyatta for taking a bold step towards fighting grand corruption.

LSK President Mr. Eric Mutua said that the war on graft must shift to top gear and requires unity to win.

“We commend President Kenyatta for taking the bold step and public officials adversely mentioned should immediately step aside pending investigations,” Mr. Mutua said.

President Kenyatta made his State of the Nation Address yesterday and demanded that over 50 public officials leave office for investigations into corruption claims against them.

The public officials include Cabinet Secretaries, Governors and Principal Secretaries among others.

Mr. Mutua referred to the recent controversial payment of Sh1.4 billion to two shadowy firms linked to the Anglo Leasing type contracts.

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“LSK remains concerned that the Government paid out the Sh1.4 billion after the Office of the Attorney General acted unconstitutionally, illegally and unprofessionally,” Mr. Mutua said.

Mutua said that the AG frustrated Government lawyers during the hearing of the cases in a London court by failing to pay their fees, issue instructions and respond to instructions.

“The AG appeared to have withdrawn instructions in December 2013 from foreign advocates before his office took over the conduct of the case on 20th December 2013,” Mr. Mutua said.

Mr. Mutua recalled how the LSK demanded that the AG show cause why the professional body should not issue him with a Certificate of Dishonour and strike him off the Roll of Senior Counsel.

However, on 26th June 2014 the AG moved to court and obtained orders restraining the Council of the LSK from meeting to discuss his conduct in relation to the Anglo Leasing payments.

President Kenyatta said that investigations into the Anglo Leasing type contracts bore fruit but obstacles threaten prosecution of the perpetrators.

President Kenyatta regretted that the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) is now embroiled in infighting and finger pointing.